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Thursday, December 10, 2009

Have you ever been to a cookie swap?

Let me tell you about cookie swapping. It sounds kind of odd, doesn't it? I mean, who the heck wants to TRADE cookies, anyway?

Well, the first holiday season that I was living here in NC, I was invited to one by a co-worker of my hubby's who I had become friendly with. I told her I was totally clueless, and I had never baked anything from scratch in my entire life. She told me not to worry, and to just bake a dozen cookies per 12-13 guests. WHAT? I'd never baked that many cookies in one sitting in my entire life, let alone from scratch. Who was she kidding?

I tried to come up with a twist on the old slice and bake rolled cookies from Pillsbury. Did I mention clueless? And many months pregnant, don't let me forget that part. So hubby, who comes from a home where pre-made anything is rare and unexpected, came up with an idea of me making those peanut butter kiss cookies. He said his mom used to make them, so I could do them easily with peanut butter cookie dough and a nice variety of Hershey's kisses. I used all different flavors. It was kind of fun. I took some pictures of the stash when I was finished, just can't find them right now. So instead I'll share an image of my best friend when it comes to baking, you may know him well:Second cookie swap, last year. I made TWO kinds of the same cookie. I felt like I was working from scratch, because I used my Kitchen Aid Mixer (you know the one) and it was a Paula Deen recipe. How cool was I? Not that cool, even Paula uses boxed cake mix now and then, and I loved her for it!

Now this year, well, I must be on some kind of drug or drugs ... because I not only participated in a swap last weekend through my mommies' group, but I am also hosting my own sort of swap this coming weekend! (Assuming my little one stays mostly healthy, but that's another post altogether.) So last weekend I made a medley of THREE kinds of treats. And I made two of them using this book of recipes:And the last one using the recipe off of this box (the funfetti one!):And for this coming weekend I've gone back to the book, and likely the box again, as well. Is it cheating to make cookies/bars from cake mix? I don't think so. You're [I'm] still putting in the hard work of making them, you're [I'm] doing more than I did that first year with the dough already ready for me, and, well, they're still pretty good!

So, the next (or first!) time you get invited to a cookie swap, don't say no because you're not a baker. Usually these things are much more casual than you'd think, and it's okay to just bring something simple and hang out with the girlz. I promise, I won't make fun of you or snicker behind your back. 'Cause what a hypocrite I'd be if I did! ;)